Contact Information
80 Pyrmont St., Pyrmont, Sydney, NSW 2009  Phone 1800/700 700 in Australia   02/9777 9000  Fax 02/9657 8344

Size: 352 units  Extras A/C MINIBAR TV TEL.  Parking A$15 (U.S.$10.50)  Transportation: Ferry: Pyrmont Bay. Monorail: Harbourside. Light rail: Star City. Free shuttle buses run from the central business district  Prices: A$340-$360 (U.S.$238-$252) double, depending on view; from A$450 (U.S.$315) and way up for suites. Extra person A$40 (U.S.$28). Ask about special packages  Credit Cards: AE, BC, DC, JCB, MC, V

Opened at the end of 1997, this A$900 million (U.S.$630 million) gambling and entertainment complex includes Sydney's newest fivestar hotel, with rooms overlooking both Darling Harbour and Pyrmont Bridge. Although the four split-level Royal Suites (A$1,500/U.S.$1,050) are quite spectacular, each with three TVs, a giant spa, a full kitchen, two bathrooms, its own sauna, and the services of the former butler to the governor of Queensland, the standard rooms, on the other hand, are somewhat sterile. If you aren't attracted to the glamour of this place, or the gambling, you can find nicer rooms for the price elsewhere. If you do stay here, pay the extra money for a room with truly spectacular views over Darling Harbour.

Dining/Entertainment: The Astral restaurant is the top-flight dining choice here. It's reached by an external glass elevator and offers top-rated cuisine and the best service I've come across in Sydney. Other major restaurants are Al Porto, serving Italian, and the Lotus Pond, serving Chinese; there are also a couple of bistro-style places. The gaming rooms are sectioned into four areas; there are also two theaters, the 2,000-seat Lyric Theatre (the largest in Sydney) and the 900-seat Showroom, which presents Las Vegas-style productions.

Facilities: Heated outdoor pool, sauna, spa, massage. concierge, 24-hour room service, free daily newspaper, nightly turndown, shoe shine, laundry, valet, business center, shopping arcade, newsstand, beauty salon, currency exchange.

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